Alfred faculty, students collaborate with guest artist for 'An Evening of Dance' 2/03/06
Alfred University Performing Arts Division will present "An Evening of Dance" Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 16 -18, at 8 each evening, with a matinee at 2 pm Saturday, Feb. 18, in the CD Smith Theater, Miller Performing Arts Center on the AU campus.The concert will feature new works by students, faculty members and the Marlin and Ginger Miller Resident Guest Artist Sean Curran. Student choreographers featured will be senior fine arts major Briana Hohnarth;
senior fine arts major Sarah Hall Weaver; sophomore Nate Smith, who is a political science major with a minor in dance; and junior ceramic engineering major James Roberts. "Count on kineticism, visual sophistication, and solid craft to be on display in their work," said D. Chase Angier, assistant professor of dance and director of AU's dance program. Angier and Robert Bingham, visiting artist-in-residence in dance, will also be presenting works that include a feisty duet - the third in a series created and performed by Bingham and Angier; an evocative trio by Angier with costumes by Angie To, assistant professor of art in the School of Art & Design, and a hearty dance created for six tireless dancers by Bingham.Students will also be performing in Curran's dance piece to be created in collaboration with AU students during a week-long residency made possible by the Marlin and Ginger Miller Dance Residency program. The work will explore Curran's and the AU performers' response to Metal Garden - recorded improvisational music by Tigger Benford and Peter Jones. Both Jones and Benford are recognized globally for their musical
compositions created for dance. Trained as an Irish step dancer in Boston, Curran originally made his mark on the dance work as a leading dancer with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zanes Dance Company, receiving the dance world's highest performing honor - the Bessie Award - for his performance in "Secret Patures." He now performs and choreographs world-wide with his company Sean Curran Company, which he founded in 1997. He now creates original works for Broadway, The Shakespeare Theater, The Metropolitan Opera, international modern and ballet companies, and university dance programs. He is a graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and continues to serve as guest faculty member at the school."Curran emerges as a sublime choreographer, creating complexly musical phrases for a company that literally rises to meet his expectations," according to The Village Voice.
General admission is $5, and $1 for AU students. Tickets may be purchased through the box office, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 607-871-2828. Seating is limited, and reservations are recommended.Information about students:Briana Hohnarth is a senior fine arts major. A graduate of Wallkill Valley Regional High School, she is the daughter of Barry Hohnarth of Hamburg, NJ, and Laurie Hohnarth of Spart, NJ.Sarah Hall Weaver, a senior fire arts major, is a graduate of Saratoga Springs Senior High School. She is the daughter of John Kosek of Greenfield Center, NY.Nate Smith, a sophomore who is majoring in political science with a minor in dance, is the son of L'Tanya Portlock of Los Angeles, CA.James Roberts, a junior ceramic engineering major, is a graduate of Westhill High School. He is the son of James and Stephanie Roberts of Syracuse.
